Richard Hughes was cursing his luck after being left all dressed up with nowhere to go aboard fifth-placed Nahoodh in the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Hughes was adamant he would have won the fillies' Classic with Mick Channon's 33-1 chance had he not been blocked in against the stands rail during the final furlong.

The grey ultimately went down by just over a length to impressive French raider Natagora.

Hughes said: "I was happy with my draw in stall six and I was happy after going a furlong and a half.

"I had a great position at halfway and was travelling well, but just when I was going to move up a place or two at the three-furlong pole she hit a flat spot. I had to let her come good, although some people may have thought I was cruising.

"She came good again at the two-furlong pole and I wanted her to bring me into the race but all the others came left.

"I then ran into the back of the winner. Nine times out of 10 they would have come off the rail when they heard the crowd and I was banking on them doing that as I couldn't go round the field.

"I felt I would have won. Nahoodh can win at Ascot and make amends."

Cheveley Park's pair of Spacious and Infallible finished second and fourth respectively, with the former earning quotes of around 10-1 for the Juddmonte Oaks next month.

However, trainer James Fanshawe said: "She ran very well but Jamie (Spencer) said she could have done with a stronger pace.

"We'll see how she is before making plans but she will not be going up in trip. We are not thinking of the Oaks, we'll stick to a mile at the moment."

John Gosden added of Infallible: "The winner set the standard on form and it is just a pity, like the 2000 Guineas, that they have gone to the stands rail.

"She gets the mile and will be going for the Coronation Stakes.

"The winner deserved to win and she had the best form."

Jim Bolger had to settle for second with white-hot favourite New Approach in the 2000, and took third and sixth with Saoirse Abu and Lush Lashes in the 1000.

He said: "I am very happy and both Kevin (Manning on Saoirse Abu) and Kerrin (McEvoy on Lush Lashes) said they wanted a bit further."

McEvoy added: "She ran a great race but it is just a shame she played up a bit in the stalls."

Muthabara shot to favouritism for the race after a reportedly sparkling piece of work at Goodwood last month.

John Dunlop's filly went on to stake her claim with victory in the Fred Darling but could finish no better than eighth under Richard Hills, having had her participation put in doubt when pulling up slightly sore on Friday morning.

Her rider said: "She gave me a great ride and moved really well. She just got caught for toe at the end."

Max One Two Three was trainer Tom Dascombe's first Classic contender and took 11th.

Jockey Richard Kingscote said: "She didn't help herself in the preliminaries but she saw out the mile."

Spinning Lucy was 14th and jockey William Buick said: "She is a sprinter and didn't see out the trip."

Last home was Francesca d'Gorgio and her rider Ted Durcan reported that his mount did not get the mile trip.

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